There's something off about Shailene Woodley's new Elle cover (by no fault of her own)

The April cover of Elle magazine, featuring dystopian action star and Hollywood’s resident vagabond, Shailene Woodley, has been revealed and something is… amiss.

Truthfully, it’s often painful to watch a dyed-in-the-wool tomboy fall into the overly-ambitious hands of a Hollywood stylist or glam squad. They usually attempt a character-altering makeover on a reluctant star — Shailene, for instance — who seems happier in a threadbare sweatshirt and “re-wilding” in a forest. Hence, by no fault of Woodley’s, a medley of poor styling, lighting, and production decisions have caught the spitfire looking like a perspiring, ashen version of herself. Photographer Michael Thompson does great work — as seen here — but this cover is definitely off.

Gone is Woodley’s wide, goofy signature smile. It’s instead been replaced by a pained expression, half-grimace, half-smirk — as though she was caught mid-expression. The dark shadows created by heavy eye shadow — contrasted with bare lips — makes it appear if the starlet’s makeup is actually liquefying under strong lighting. The “young, wild, and free!” pose — hands thrown behind her head — makes it feel like she just didn’t know what to do with her arms (#igiveup). Even though she was apparently photographed on a beach, somehow the shot feels like Woodley was actually photographed in a room with all the air sucked out of it.

The good news? Inside the glossy, things are a lot better:

And the interview is great; she offers her grandmother’s words on self-love and deep hearts. Hey, it’s all you can do when a stylist turns on you.

Images via Elle.

Marjon Carlos is a style and culture writer for Fusion who boasts a strong turtleneck game and opinions on the subjects of fashion, gender, race, pop culture, and men’s footwear.